
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
In Blueprint, behavioral geneticist Robert Plomin describes how the DNA revolution has made DNA personal by giving us the power to predict our psychological strengths and weaknesses from birth. A century of genetic research shows that DNA differences inherited from our parents are the consistent life-long sources of our psychological individualityāthe blueprint that makes us who we are. This, says Plomin, is a game changer.
Plomin has been working on these issues for almost fifty years, conducting longitudinal studies of twins and adoptees. He reports that genetics explains more of the psychological differences among people than all other factors combined. Genetics accounts for fifty percent of psychological differencesānot just mental health and school achievement but all psychological traits, from personality to intellectual abilities. Nature, not nurture is what makes us who we are.
Plomin explores the implications of this, drawing some provocative conclusionsāamong them that parenting styles don't really affect children's outcomes once genetics is taken into effect. Neither tiger mothers nor attachment parenting affects children's ability to get into Harvard. After describing why DNA matters, Plomin explains what DNA does, offering readers a unique insider's view of the exciting synergies that came from combining genetics and psychology.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Half Title
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Prologue
- Part 1: Why DNA matters
- 1 Disentangling nature and nurture
- 2 How do we know that DNA makes us who we are?
- 3 The nature of nurture
- 4 DNA matters more as time goes by
- 5 Abnormal is normal
- 6 Generalist genes
- 7 Why children in the same family are so different
- 8 The DNA blueprint
- 9 Equal opportunity and meritocracy
- Part 2: The DNA revolution
- 10 DNA: The basics
- 11 Gene-hunting
- 12 The DNA fortune teller
- 13 Predicting who we are
- 14 Our future is DNA
- Epilogue
- Notes
- Acknowledgments
- Index